For years, there's been a debate going on about whether or not zinc lozenges actually shorten the duration of colds. The latest word from a prestigious medical journal concludes that they are indeed helpful. In my opinion, they'd work even better if used properly…but more on that in a moment.

In this "double-blind" study, the researchers had 25 individuals use zinc-acetate lozenges within 24 hours of the onset of cold symptoms, while 23 other individuals received identically flavored placebos. Both groups used their treatments every two to three hours (while awake) for four to five days.

At the end of the trial, it was found that those taking 80 milligrams of zinc daily reported that their symptoms left in five days, compared with an average of eight days for those using the placebo.

Now let's go over making those zinc lozenges even more effective. We're usually advised to allow the lozenge to dissolve slowly under our tongues. But since concentrations of zinc kill micro-organisms by direct contact, it's even more effective to "swish and gargle" some of the dissolved zinc, contacting as many oral and throat surfaces as possible with the solution. Individuals who have used this simple adjustment tell me their zinc lozenges work even better than before.

Dr. Brenda Gill, ND, The Natural Path Clinic
1995 Columbia Ave., Suite 1,  Rossland, BC, (250)362-5035
601 Lake St.  Nelson, BC, (250) 352-3150

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